A middle-aged man, Amir Sepehry, with glasses, a beard, and a bald head stands in front of a plain light background, wearing a dark jacket, patterned shirt, and colorful tie.

Amir Sepehry, Ph.D.

Complementary Faculty + Associate Professor

Counselling Psychology

Vancouver

asepehry@adler.edu Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Research Gate

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Advancing minds, transforming systems: Adler’s Amir Sepehry, Ph.D., earns Sigma Xi honor

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OVERVIEW

Dr. Sepehry is an associate professor of counselling psychology, bringing years of experience in neuropsychological, psychiatric, and neuroscientific research. His work integrates counselling with the study of brain – behaviour relationships across various neuropsychiatric conditions. Prior to joining Adler, Dr. Sepehry completed his doctoral and postdoctoral training. His primary research methodology is meta-analysis. He teaches multiple courses, including apprasial, ethics, psychometrics, statistics, and a few others, supervises doctoral and masters-level dissertations, and serves as a statistical and research consultant for students at large.

MEMBERSHIPS + ASSOCIATIONS

  • National Academy of Neuropsychology.
  • Canadian Psychological Association.
  • American Psychological Association.
  • British Columbia Psychological Association.
  • Sports Neuropsychology Society.
  • Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society.
  • Faculty council-member at large.

Publications + Presentations

Publications

Insomnia and emotion dysregulation: a meta-analytical perspective integrating regulatory strategies and dispositional difficulties.

2025 Sleep medicine reviews, 82, 102111
Author(s): Samea, F., Mortazavi, N., Reimann, G. M., Ebneabbasi, A., Zarei, M., Khazaie, H., Goldstein-Piekarski, A. N., Spiegelhalder, K., Baglioni, C., Sepehry, A. A., & Tahmasian, M.
Publication Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102111

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Body Dissatisfaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

2025 Journal of clinical psychology, 10.1002/jclp.70021.
Advance online publication.
Author(s): Boyle, S., Dorfan, N., & Sepehry, A. A.
Publication Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.70021

Prescriptive Authority for Psychologists (RxP) and Scope of Practice: A National Survey of Canadian Psychologists and Psychology Students.

2024 Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne. 66(1), 1–14.
Author(s): Sepehry, A. A.; Nussbaum, D.; Shearer, D.; Toledano, R., Ax, R.K.; Velikonja, D, Butler, B.; Richard, J.
Publication Link: https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000404

Not All Stroop-Type Tasks Are Alike: Assessing the Impact of Stimulus Material, Task Design, and Cognitive Demand via Meta-analyses Across Neuroimaging Studies.

2024 Neuropsychology review, 10.1007/s11065-024-09647-1. Advance online publication.
Author(s): Müller, V. I., Cieslik, E. C., Ficco, L., Tyralla, S., Sepehry, A. A., Aziz-Safaie, T., Feng, C., Eickhoff, S. B., & Langner, R.
Publication Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-024-09647-1

Chronic Vestibular System Dysfunction After mTBI: Neuropsychology, Neuropsychiatry, Neuroscience and Treatment.

2024 Psychological Injury and Law, 17(2): 152-173.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Schultz, I. Z.; Mallinson, A.I.; & Longridge, N.
Publication Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12207-024-09506-7

Recanalization and outcomes after cerebral venous thrombosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

2023 Research and practice in thrombosis and haemostasis, 7(3), 100143.
Author(s): Kim, D. J., Honig, A., Alimohammadi, A., Sepehry, A. A., Zhou, L. W., & Field, T. S.
Publication Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpth.2023.100143

From Subjective Cognitive Decline to Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia: Clinical and Capacity Assessment Considerations.

2023 Psychological Injury and Law, 16, 273–287.
Author(s): Sepehry, A. A.; Schultz, I. Z.; Cohen, D.A.; Greer, S.

Ablation surgeries for treatment resistant depression: A meta-analysis and systematic review of reported case series.

2022 Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, 100 (5-6): 300-313.
Author(s): Hurwitz, T.A.; Honey, C.R.; & Sepehry, A.A.

Hemorrhagic Transformation in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Quantitative Systematic Review.

2022 Journal of Clinical Medicine. 11(5): 1162.
Author(s): Honig, A.; Percy, J.; Sepehry, A.A. Gomez, A.G.; Field, T.S.; & Benavente, O.R.

Prevalence of Resilience, Risk and Protective Factors in Foster Care Children and Youth: A systematic and meta-analytic review

2022 Journal of Individual posychology (In press).
Author(s): Fisher, R.N.; Sepehry, A.A.; Maglio, A.S.; & Bluvshtein, M.

Insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis on interrelated association (n = 57,618) and prevalence (n = 573,665).

2022 Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 141, 104850.
Author(s): Ahmadi, R., Rahimi-Jafari, S., Olfati, M., Javaheripour, N., Emamian, F., Ghadami, M. R., Khazaie, H., Knight, D. C., Tahmasian, M., & Sepehry, A. A.

CPA Section on Psychopharmacology: Section Executive Position Paper on Pursuit of Prescription Authority/Privilege.

2022 (Policy paper Submitted to CPA)
Author(s): Nussbaum, D.; Ax, K. R.; Bigelow, B.; Butler, B.; Sepehry, A.A.; & Velikonja, D.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for depression: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

2021 Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. 15(1): 2-17.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Lam, K.; Sheppard, M.; Guirguis-Younger, M.; & Maglio, A.S.

Clinical Manifestations of Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis: Western Canadian Case Series and Practical Recommendations for Treatment.

2021 Cell, Gene, and Therapy Journal. 1(1): 1-10.
Author(s): Shahbeigi, S.; Sepehry, A.A.; & Oger, J.

Forensic Neuropsychological Aspects of Competency Evaluation: Financial and Legal Competency in Older Adults.

2020 Psychological Injury and Law, 13:19-32.
Author(s): Cohen, D; Sepehry, A.A.; & Schultz

Determination of Competency for High-Gravity Life-Death Decision Making.

2020 Psychological Injury and Law, 12: 266-280.
Author(s): Schultz, I.Z.; Stewart, A.M.; & Sepehry, A.A.

Basilar Apex Aneurysm: Case Series, Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

2020 World Neurosurgery, 138: e183-e190.
Author(s): Dandurand, C.; Prakash, S.; Sepehry, A.A.; Tourogny, K.; Haw, C.S.; Gooderham, P.; Moore, J.; and Redekp, G.

Neurocognitive Frailty Index as a Predictor of Cognitive Function: An opinion Letter.

2020 Global Journal of Aging 7 Geriatric Research. (Open access).
Author(s): Pakzad, S.; Bourque, P.; Fallah, N.; & Sepehry, A.A.

Effects of Ketamine Anaesthesia on Efficacy, Tolerability, Seizure Response, and Neurocognitive Outcomes in ECT: a Comprehensive Meta-analysis of Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trials.

2020 J of ECT, 36(2): 94-105.
Author(s): Ainsworth, J.N.; Sepehry, A.A., & Fidel, V.R.

Presentations

Symposium + Presentations

Applied Psychopharmacology: Therapeutic and Policy Perspectives. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. CPA Symposia

2025
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.

Trazodone for cognition: Is there hope?

2025
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Abdoulraman, Y.; Richard, J.

Ketamine Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

2025
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Richard, J. Garel, N.; Zech, J.

Including Indigenous Ways of Knowing as Evidence-Based Practice. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.

2025
Author(s): Gwendolyn, D. V.; Wendt, D.; Sepehry, A.A.

Including Indigenous Ways of Knowing as Evidence-Based Practice. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.

2025
Author(s): Gwendolyn, D. V.; Wendt, D.; Sepehry, A.A.

Trazadone, Captagon, and beyond. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. Ottawa. (Symposium)

2024
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Nussbaum, D.; Butler, B.; Richard, J.

Trazodone for human neurocognitive functions: A meta-re-analysis. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. Ottawa. (symposium).

2024
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Abdoul-Raman, Y.

Inclusive Evidence-Based Practice: A Roundtable on Update to CPA Guidelines. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. Ottawa. (Round Table Conversation Session)

2024
Author(s): Houyuan, L.; Van Vliet, J.K.; Woodend, J.; Sepehry, A.A.; Villeburn, G.

The Global Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders in the General Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada (June 24).

2023
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Cordy, C.

Clinical Psychopharmacology Symposium. CPA Convention, Toronto, Canada. CPA Symposia.

2023
Author(s): Sepehry, A. A.

Prescriptive authority (RxP) in Canada: Results of the national study.

2023
Author(s): Sepehry, A. A.; & Nussbaum, D.

Prescriptive authority: What is next in Canada.

2023
Author(s): Nussbaum, D.; Sepehry, A.A.

Highlighting Psynapse: The CPA psychopharmacology section newsletter.

2023
Author(s): Butler, B.; Sepehry, A. A.; Nussbaum, D.

From Knowledge exchange to Knowledge dissemination: A psychopharmacology plan. CPA Symposia:

2021
Author(s): Sephery, A.A.

Professional and training issues.

2021
Author(s): Nussbaum, D. & Sepehry, A.A.

CPA Psychopharmacology Section to Further Psychopharmacology Knowledge.

2021
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Nussbaum, D.; Butler, B.

Psychopharmacology Courses, Currently Offered at CPA Accredited Universities.

2021
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Nussbaum, D.; Butler, B.

Status of Prescriptive Authority (PA/RxP) Efforts in the United States and Beyond.

2021
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; & Nussbaum, D.

Posters

Is there a link between the level of education and the age of onset in behavioral variant of frontal lobal dementia: A cognitive reserve analysis.

2015 Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.
Author(s): Ahn, S.; Sepehry, A.A.; Greer, S

Ketamine intervention for alcohol use disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

2025 Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.
Author(s): Richard, J.; Garel, N.; Zech, J. Sepehry, A.A.

Vestibular dysfunction post-TBI: Impact on neuropsychological function.

2025 Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Schultz, I.Z.

Driving Capacity Assessment in Mild Dementia.

2024 Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. Ottawa, Canada.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Schultz, I.Z.; Cohen, D.; Goodall, K. Stewart, M.A.

Inclusive Evidence-Based Practice: A Roundtable on Update to CPA Guidelines.

2024 Canadian Psychological Association Annual
Conference. Ottawa, Canada.
Author(s): Houyuan, L.; van Vliet, K. Jessica; Woodend, J.; Sepehry, A.A.

Financial and Health Decision-Making Capacities in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer’s Disease.

2024 Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. Ottawa, Canada.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Schultz, I.Z.; Cohen, D.; Greer, C.S. Stewart, M.A.

Stroop interference as a function of stimulus material, presentation design, control condition, and cognitive demand: Evidence from neuroimaging and behavioral meta-analyses.

2024 53rd DGPs Congress/15th ÖGP Conference. Vienna, Austria (16-19 September).
Author(s): Mueller, V.; Cieslik, E.C.; Ficco, L.; Tyralla, S.; Sepehry, A.A.; Aziz-Safaie, T.; Feng, C.; Eichkoff, S.B.; & Langer, R.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Symptoms and Processes of Body Dissatisfaction: A Meta-Analysis.

2023 Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada (June 23)
Author(s): Sepehry, A.; Boyle, S.; Durfan, N.

Predictors of Remission in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis.

2023 Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada (June 25)
Author(s): Sepehry, A.; Villantheran, V.S.

Seizure freedom after insular resections for epilepsy: An institutional case series, systematic review, and meta-analysis.

2022 Presented at the Stereotactic and Functional Surgery meeting.
Author(s): Fatehi-Hassanabad, M.; Guo, R.; Sepehry, A.A.; & Hader, W.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Depression: A meta-analysis and Systematic Review.

2020 Virtual abstract. CPA.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Lam, K.; Guirgis-Younger, M.; Maglio, A.S.

Moderating Factors in Suicide Risk Prediction: A
meta-analysis.

2020 Virtual abstract. CPA.
Author(s): Dobrzanski, A.; Sheppard, M.; Sepehry, A.A.

Prevalence of Resilience, Risk and Protective Factors in Foster Care Children and Youth: A Systematic and Meta-analytic Review.

2020 Virtual abstract. CPA.
Author(s): Fisher, R.; Sepehry, A.A.

EMDR treatment efficacy on cognitive and neurovegetative symptoms in depression.

2020 Virtual abstract. CPA.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Onabadejo, A.; Sheppard, M.

Vaping case reports: A meta-analysis of vaping related deaths.

2020 Virtual abstract. CPA.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.; Dobrzanski, A.; Chalmers, J.; Sheppard, M.

Lectured

Psychopharmacology of pain for Clinician: A research perspective.

2024 CPA- General. (Part 1 of 2).
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.

Psychopharmacology of pain for Clinician: A research perspective.

2024 Two lectures (Parts 1 and 2) delivered to the APA Medical Psychology Section. 2 CE credits.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.

Psychopharmacology of pain for neuropsychologists: A research perspective.

2024 Lecture delivered via CPA clinical neuropsychology section.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.

Sleep and Sleep Hygiene.

2024 Moving Forward Family Services.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.

Psychopharmacology of pain for clinician.

2024 Moving Forward Family Services.
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.

A Brief Discussion of Psychopharmacology for therapists.

2022 Ongwanada Kingstone internship consortium (1.5 Hours).
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.

A Brief Discussion of Psychopharmacology for Psychologists.

2022 BC Psychological Association. [1.5 CE Credit, 1.5-hour workshop).
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.

Psychopharmacology: A clinical overview.

2022 Toronto Neurofeedback & Psychotherapy Centre. [1 Hour workshop]
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.

Psychopharmacology: A clinical overview.

2021 York University, Toronto. [8 Hours workshop]
Author(s): Sepehry, A.A.

LEADERSHIP + ENGAGEMENT

  • Action/Section Editor for Psychological Injury and Law (PIL).
  • Ad-hoc reviewer for several journals.
  • CPA- Director Representing Council of Sections (nominated by Section Chairs: 2022-2025) and CPA Board of Directors.
  • CPA- Psychopharmacology Section Chair (2020-present).
  • CPA- Clinical Neuropsychology (2023-) Member-at-large.
  • BCPA- Past President (2023-2024).
  • BCPA- Continuing Education Committee Chair (2022-2024).
  • BCPA- President-elect (2022-2023).
  • BCPA- Vice President (2021-2022).
  • BCPA- Executive Board Member (2021-2024).

CURRENT RESEARCH + OPPORTUNITIES

Dr. Sepehry is currently working on a review regarding financial capacity assessment, psychometric validation of several scales, and neuroimaging meta-analyses. Additionally, he is collaborating on a few national projects.